Three teenage boys from the prestigious Scots College in Sydney, identified as the "Scots College Three," made their first court appearance Tuesday in connection with rape charges. The boys, aged 13 and 14, are accused of aggravated sexual assault and aggravated sexual touching.
The alleged incident occurred on the evening of July 22 on a school night in a Bondi Junction alleyway. All three boys are accused of being together when they allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old girl. The charges include aggravated sexual assault – offender in company – and two counts of aggravated sexually touching another person.
The defendants arrived at Surry Hills Children's Court with their parents and legal teams. The court, historically a venue for juveniles with troubled backgrounds, was a stark contrast to the affluent lives the students are accustomed to. One of the boys was reportedly chauffeured in a luxury black Mercedes.
Parents of the accused appeared visibly distressed as media cameras documented their arrival. One of the boys was accompanied by his father, mother, and another woman, while another arrived with his mother in a hire car.
None of the boys entered the courtroom to stand before Judge Sue Duncombe. They were able to leave the courthouse without having to appear directly before the judge. The court facility, which reopened in 2018 after renovations, retains some of the historical atmosphere of its past as the Metropolitan Boys' Shelter, a place that housed children before hearings.
New South Wales Police have taken out apprehended violence orders (AVOs) to protect the alleged victim. The legal proceedings are expected to be lengthy as defense lawyers explore all available avenues for the accused.